Our Story

Phil & Amy have been happily married for over 20 years, live in Simpsonville, SC, and have three wonderful boys, Austin, Pearson, and Rhett. Phillip and Amy Parham (42, 41) were contestants on season six of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser: Families” in 2008. During their season, they lost a combined total of 256 pounds. As a couple, they lost lost one of the highest percentages of any married couple in “The Biggest Loser" history. “ Out of 110 contestants to date, Amy holds the title of the 3rd highest percentage of weight loss for all the women in “The Biggest Loser” history.

Their time on Biggest Loser was the beginning of a new chapter in their life and the start of a journey as a couple to promote wellness and fitness to members of the public across the country. They are committed to helping and empowering others because they know what it’s like to feel helpless.

Amy's Story

"Five years ago, I was lying on my couch, gazing through an opening in the ceiling that led to the attic. My eyes slowly became fixated on a wooden beam. I began to wonder: What would it feel like if I hung myself? Could the beam support my weight? How would I do it? My downward spiral into a deep depression seemed to have reached the bottom. I felt completely hopeless and began to contemplate a permanent way out.

How in the world did I allow myself to get to this point? In the last four years, I had given birth to three sons and gained 70 lbs; my body and spirit sagged under the pressure of the extra weight. In 2003, my youngest son Rhett was diagnosed with autism. As any mother who has high hopes and dreams for their children, I struggled with the diagnosis and dedicated much of my time and energy into finding ways to ‘fix’ Rhett. I was physically exhausted and emotionally drained. I coped by binge eating every night, which made me put on more and more weight. At the same time, my husband’s business had collapsed, and we found ourselves under incredible financial pressure.

I would make myself get out of bed every single day, even though I didn’t feel like it. One particular Sunday, I went to church and told God, “I just can’t handle this anymore.” Only moments later, the speaker said, “I know there are people out there thinking they can’t handle this anymore. I want to let you know you are on the verge of a breakthrough!” I finally caught a glimpse of hope that morning and desperately cried, “God, what can I do?” He lovingly responded in the depths of my spirit and, in that moment, I knew that God would somehow take care of my family. And probably in a way that would not look like something I would have dreamed up myself.”

Phil's Story

"Even though I was an overweight child, I never let it stop me from becoming a success in business and being able to support my family. However, in 2003, my mortgage broker business went to pieces after my long time business partner left. It was a shock to my ego and a crushing blow to our bank accounts. My family lost not only our luxurious lifestyle, but our security. For the first time in my life, I was at a loss as to what to do. My weight slowly began to creep up the scales, but I wasn’t paying attention to it that much; I was too busy trying to formulate a plan on how to get my family out of debt. My health was the last thing on my mind.

I had no choice but to turn this devastating situation over to God about the same time my wife also surrendered. We knew that with Him, there had to be a way out of the pressure. Slowly but surely, our lives started to turn around. My wife and I found new careers in real estate. We became the top sales agents, selling over sixty homes in our first year. We also found a new therapy for Rhett which helped him to change his language and behavior. While we were both feeling more inspired and motivated, Amy and I were still too busy with our family and new careers to give much thought to our personal health. Pushing forty, constantly feeling out of breath, and struggling to maintain my energy level, I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to do something about my weight. The one area I had casually ignored my whole life would now become my most important battleground.”

The Biggest Loser

Phil at his heaviest, a staggering 340 pounds, and Amy reaching clinical obesity at 229 pounds, in 2008, Amy took a step toward change and applied Phil and herself as contestants for the NBC hit reality television show “The Biggest Loser. “

Out of 300,000 applicants, Phil and Amy were one of the eight couples that were chosen for the show’s sixth season. They began a new chapter of transforming their physical bodies—the only part of their lives that was holding them back from fulfilling all of their dreams. In only seven months, they had both achieved a dramatic weight loss of over 250 pounds, putting Phil at a trim 180 pounds and Amy at a svelte 124 pounds. As a couple Phil and Amy lost one of the highest percentages of any married couple in “The Biggest Loser’s” history.

Today

Phil and Amy have been touring the country speaking on Health and fitness. They speak to corporations, churches and local civic groups. They have authored two books and a DVD.

Currently, they are unveiling a nationwide initiative called “The 90 Day Fitness Challenge”
This challenge inspires members of the public to take the challenge towards wellness. Find out more on the 90 Day Fitness Challenge page.